Bristol City are expected to complete the signing of Derry City youngster Rory Holden tonight.

The 20-year-old midfielder is understood to have been on trial at the club this summer and flown back over to Bristol this afternoon to put the finishing touches on a two-year deal at the Championship Club.

Talking to the Derry Journal , Derry manager Kenny Shiels said: “He’s a lovely lad, who has always worked hard and I know he has the right attitude to do well at Bristol.”

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Shiels said he recognised the talent the youngster had as soon as he arrived at the club. He said: “One of my first games as Derry City manager was an Under 19 game and I identified Rory straight away as a player who I would be expecting to push his way into my first team plans

“I felt next season was going to be his real breakthrough year for us but while I’m disappointed we have lost him, I feel it’s a good deal all around for both Derry City and Rory.”

The fee for Holden is expected to be undisclosed by the Derry Journal are reporting the North Irish club could net up to £150,000 from the deal.

Holden scored his first senior goal for Derry, who play in the League of Ireland Premier Division, in July and is in the Northern Ireland U21 set-up.